Fever revoke credentials of independent journalist over Caitlin Clark back injury report
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- The Indiana Fever revoked longtime beat reporter Scott Agness's credential, barring him from team events after he reported on social media about Caitlin Clark’s health status, which the team claimed was “inaccurate and unsubstantiated.”
- Agness stood by his report, citing a trusted source and explaining the information was meant to reassure fans that Clark’s absence was part of a strategic management plan, not due to a new injury.
- Fever coach Stephanie White publicly denied Agness’s report, stating Clark was healthy and not being strategically managed, attributing her absence to a minor back issue.
- The Professional Basketball Writers Association condemned the credential revocation, emphasizing that reporters should not lose access for doing their job, and noted no progress toward Agness’s reinstatement.
- The Fever faced scrutiny and a WNBA warning for violating injury report protocol related to Clark’s absence, which fueled controversy around the transparency of the team’s communications.